WORK could start within months on a multi-million retail complex and multi-storey car park in Letterkenny.
It follows confirmation yesterday (Thursday) that Letterkenny Town Council has granted planning permission for the project on the Donegal Creameries site at Ballyraine.
Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday Town Clerk, Mr Paddy Doherty said planning permission had been granted last Thursday. The 43,000 sq ft development consists of a three storey lower basement commercial building including a basement car park, ground floor retail unit, creche and restaurant with office space on the first and second floors and associated car parking.
Mr Gareth Whitmore, Property Manager Donegal Creameries, said the company was now awaiting final grant notification from the Council to allow the development to proceed.
"Donegal Creameries is pleased that the Council has issued this notification of decision to grant approval for its new proposed development. Pending final approval, the proposed 43,000 sq ft building at Ballyraine will comprise a mixture of retail, office and crèche facilities and replace the now derelict creamery premises at Ballyraine," Mr Whitmore said.
Developed by leading architects HMG Architects, the complex has been designed with a view to enhancing the aspect and development of the Ballyraine district as a whole. To support the development, Donegal Creameries Plc will also be constructing a 50m roundabout at Ballyraine.
"The new roundabout will improve capacity for existing and future motorists and is a key recommendation from a recent independent Traffic Impact Assessment and Road Safety Audit," Mr Whitmore added.
The developers plan to demolish the former milk processing facility at the front of the site to make way for the development. Planning permission is subject to the relocation of the existing entrance and the construction of a new roundabout. There are 22 planning conditions attached to the development.
However, a local councillor has expressed concerns about the development. Councillor Jim Lynch said yesterday the roundabout would only add to the 'traffic chaos' in the area.
"The fact the Bonagee Link Road is not in place means the construction of a roundabout without adequate relief roads will only add to the traffic chaos. The planners seem to be throwing away the Development Plan because a roundabout at this location is not specified in the plan," he said.
"Anybody travelling on this road every day is totally frustrated with the traffic delays and a development of this scale will only add to the congestion," he added.
There are also concerns from residents of Orchard Grove estate about access-exit onto the road to their homes.
In 2005 a successful appeal was taken by local businessman, Mr Thomas Keys of Ballyraine to An Bord Pleanala against plans for a petrol station and supermarket on the site. An Bord Pleanala ruled the proposed development would cause traffic congestion and endanger public safety.
It also ruled the development would materially contravene the development objective set out in the Letterkenny and Environs Development Plan 2003 – 2009. As well as the appellant Councillors Jim Lynch and Neil Clarke were listed as observers in the appeal.
The grounds for the appeal centred around traffic congestion, there were already adequate petrol stations in the area and there had been a failure to consider the impact of the roundabout on adjoining properties or to consult with their owners. Mr Keys was unavailable for comment yesterday on whether he was considering an appeal to the latest permission.
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